Don't know where to go now

Fluppy

I finally plucked up the courage to seek help and I called the CCCS. Well I came off the phone in tears. They just lectured me!! and then told me to go bankrupt. This is not an option I can really follow as i would lose my home and job. I felt CCCS were only interested if they could set up a DMP - as this was not available to me they did not want to know!

I have unsecured loans/credit cards/catalogues to the value of £70,000 and HP of £16,000.
I bring home approx £850 and child benefit £165.

My other half pays all the main bills etc and I just cover my pay as you go mobile £20, Life Insurance £20, Clothing/shoes/hair £100 (I know it seems alot but I have to be smart for work) childrens bus fares/school trips £160, and my car expenses/HP.

After paying these I have approx £330 left over to pay my creditors.

They told me that I did not qualify for a DMP and just kept on about bankruptcy. Would I not be able to do an IVA?

If anyone has any advise who I can contact I would be grateful (Citizens Advise were not alot of help either).

I have tried googling but it is all so daunting and scary. The CCCS have put me off talking to anyone - I really do not need more lectures - it is bad enough the creditors keep on at me.

Is there any friendly help out there? I really would appreciate any replys.

Thanks

ps this is my first post so sorry if it is long winded.

churchrat

hi
Can I suggest that you look at the sticky at the top of this board and do a SOA? then all the clever people on here will have a better idea of your situation. You have not included your partners earnings in this? does this mean that they are all in your name? do you have an interest in the house?.
and don't worry about being long winded-- the more info the better.
keep in touch
cr

Janey51

Hi Fluppy and welcome to MSE
I'm sorry you feel that your conversation with CCCS wasn't very helpful.
THe thing is, if you are serious about paying off your debts, you would seriously have to look at what you are spending your money on. Even though you say you have to be smart for work, £100 is a lot to spend a month on hair and clothes. My OH and I are in a DMP with CCCS. Our debts were at a similar level to yours when we started and we are allowed £40 a month for clothes and £5 for haircuts...that is for both of us and not each.

Maybe CCCS felt you were wanting to carry on your style of living without facing your debt seriously enough by throwing all available cash at the debt

Put a SOA up so the experts on MSE can help you look at what it is feasible to cut back on.

Scarlett.1974

Hi Fluppy

I'm sorry you had such a difficult time on the phone with CCCS. I would suggest you call them back and speak to someone different. Why did they say you weren't eligable to do a DMP? With £330 disposable income a month I don't see the problem there You could always try Payplan or National Debtline for advice, their numbers are here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan#help

An IVA certainly isn't for everyone, I would suggest you look at the link here for more information:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/pdf-iva-guide.pdf

Don't worry, you've come to the right place here and you've made the first step in realising you have a problem and trying to do something about it

Fluppy

Hi,

All the debts are in my name and we privately rent the house.

CCCS had no problem with the £100 for clothes/shoes/hair (even suggesting I put in the haircuts and they said to allow £20!) - this total amount £100 is for myself and the children (3 teenagers who are growing fast).

I will post SOA as soon as I have typed it up. I do not have the APR's though - the CCCS said they are not needed. I will not call the companies and ask as they are just rude on the phone.

Thanks again

Janey51

Hi fluppy.
Ah, well I can understand why CCCS are OK with £100!! My kids seemed to need new shoes every week.

CCCS will really take the pressure off you if you can come to an arrangement. Our initial payments were only for £5 per creditor per month...a total of £105 on £84000 debt.

jude47

Hi Fluppy and welcome!

It could be that CCCS didn't think having you on a DMP for 20 years was reasonable. Any budget they create for you has to be sustainable and my understanding is that any DMP over 10 years has to be looked at very carefully since it means living on very reduced expenditure for that length of time. I'm sorry you were lectured, as that doesn't seem to be the experience of most people who post here, but I agree with Scarlett, call back and ask for a further appointment but say you'd rather speak to a different counsellor. Perhaps bankruptcy is your best option but I'd have expected you to be asked what you did for a living as some jobs are definitely affected and the fact you have a house with OH means you could potentially lose your home, so I'm quite surprised that bankruptcy was even mentioned in your case. I'd give them another chance and see what a different person comes up with.

Keep posting and let us know how you get on - and post that SOA 'cos the people here have some amazing money saving tips!

Jude x

churchrat

evening all
fluppy, can I ask (its all questions, questions, sorry) why you say you will lose your home if you go br? if it is rented I didn't think that would happen, provided it is a "sensible" rent. I could be wrong tho and would be grateful if somebody knows the answer. Also, what work do you do? would you def lose it if went br? even if you did, would it be worth looking for new work knowing that you would not be paying back debts for the next 20+yrs?
sorry again about all the q's
cr

Scarlett.1974

Ah, so you rent your house? Well, you certainly wouldn't be at risk at losing that in bankruptcy, it's not "yours" to lose! I can see now why they suggested BR, with the level of debt, the fact that you don't own your home and the fact that your income is relatively low. Also, as Jude says above, you would be looking at a DMP for a very long time

You mention you would worry about your job - can I ask what it is that you do?

BR is certainly not for everyone and is definitely not a decision to be taken likely. You could always post your situation over on the "BR and living with it" board, we're a very friendly lot, I promise!

Fluppy

Hi,

Unfortunately it is written into our tenancy agreement that if made bankrupt we would have to move out, and it is also written into my employment contract - I only work as an office administrator.

I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

CCCS also told me to move house to one without it written into the contract and to move jobs!

Thanks for your replies - I dont feel so alone.

Scarlett.1974

churchrat wrote: »

evening all
fluppy, can I ask (its all questions, questions, sorry) why you say you will lose your home if you go br? if it is rented I didn't think that would happen, provided it is a "sensible" rent. I could be wrong tho and would be grateful if somebody knows the answer. Also, what work do you do? would you def lose it if went br? even if you did, would it be worth looking for new work knowing that you would not be paying back debts for the next 20+yrs?
sorry again about all the q's
cr

Re the renting question. If, for example, Fluppy is renting a 6 bed detached with swimming pool, sauna and room for a pony, she could be forced to rent somewhere cheaper to free up more of her income. If, on the other hand, the house was suitable for her needs, then the OR would have no problem with this